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Acrylamide (AA) is a deleterious compound produced in starchy foods cooked at high temperatures. It is formed primarily due to the combined reaction of amino acid asparagine and sugars during heating processes such as cooking, baking and roasting. AAs create harmful health effects, and an increased risk of cancer. AA containment is integral part to reduce dietary exposure, but balanced with maintaining the desired sensory qualities and food safety. This review surface out the chemistry of AA formation, factors affecting it, toxicity data, regulatory limits, and strategies for mitigation. It further examines various analytical techniques, including chromatography and innovative methods, emphasizing their sensitivity, specificity, and rapid detection capabilities for acrylamide. Key approaches include modifying recipes, controlling cooking conditions, and exploring new nonthermal processing technologies. Each type of food presents unique mitigation challenges and may demand combined and tailored strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas fluorescens is commonly found in diverse environments and is well known for its metabolic and antagonistic properties. Despite its remarkable attributes, its potential role in promoting plant growth remains unexplored. This study examines these traits across 14 strains residing in diverse rhizosphere environments through pangenome and comparative genome analysis, alongside molecular docking studies against Erwinia amylovora to combat fire blight. Whole genome analysis revealed circular chromosome (6.01–7.07 Mb) with GC content averaging 59.95–63.39%. Predicted genes included 16S rRNA and protein-coding genes ranging from 4435 to 6393 bp and 1527 to 1541 bp, respectively. Pangenome analysis unveiled an open pangenome, shedding light on genetic factors influencing plant growth promotion and biocontrol, including nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, siderophore production, stress tolerance, flagella biosynthesis, and induced systemic resistance. Furthermore, pyrrolnitrin, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, pyoluteorin, lokisin, 2,4-diacetylpholoroglucinol and pseudomonic acid were identified. Molecular docking against key proteins of E. amylovora highlighted the high binding affinities of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, pseudomonic acid, and lokisin. These findings underscore the multifaceted role of P. fluorescens in plant growth promotion and biocontrol, with key biomolecules showing promising applications in plant growth and defense against pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar cells are pivotal in harnessing renewable energy for a greener and more sustainable energy landscape. Nonetheless, eco-friendly materials for solar cells have not been as extensive as conventional counterparts, highlighting a significant area for further investigation in advancing sustainable energy technologies. This study investigated natural dyes from cost-effective and environmentally friendly blueberries and mulberries. These dyes were utilized as alternative sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Alongside the natural dyes, a green approach was adopted for the DSSC design, encompassing TiO2 photoanodes, eco-friendly electrolytes, and green counter-electrodes created from graphite pencils and candle soot. Consequently, the best-optimized dye sensitizer was mulberry, with an output power of 13.79 µW and 0.122 µW for outdoor and indoor environments, respectively. This study underscored the feasibility of integrating DSSCs with sensitizers derived from readily available food ingredients, potentially expanding their applications in educational kits and technology development initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correction notice in the Journal of Food Measurement & Characterization addresses an error in the interpretation of a study on minimizing acrylamide in foods by Kazanci et al. It was originally stated that using pekmez and honey as sugar substitutes reduced acrylamide levels in baked goods, but the study actually found that these substitutes increased acrylamide concentrations due to high levels of reducing sugars. The corrected interpretation shows that substituting refined sugar with honey or pekmez can lead to higher acrylamide formation in products like sponge cakes and cookies. This information highlights the potential trade-off between reducing refined sugar intake and increasing acrylamide exposure in heat-processed foods. [Extracted from the article]

This paper gives an overview of the deep-water ventilation studies carried out over the world oceans using radiocarbon. There is a consensus that aged water mass existing in the abyssal ocean during the last glacial, dissipated during the Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1; 17.5–14.7 ka) and the Younger Dryas (YD; 12.9–11.7 Ka, cold event) and hence ventilation increased. The data from the Arabian Sea is in agreement with global records and shows a significant aging of intermediate waters during HS1 and to a lesser extent during the YD and also shows an outgassing of CO2 centered on the early Bølling Allerød (B-A). Though several studies have been carried out in the Atlantic and Pacific, the Indian Ocean remains scantily studied. Hence it is extremely important to have sufficient data on the ventilation aspect from specific locations in the Indian Ocean chosen to be in the pathway of the deep water circulation branch directing southern sourced waters up north. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flupirtine is a non-opioid analgesic without antipyretic or antiphlogistic properties. Flupirtine is a centrally acting analgesic but the analgesic action of flupirtine does not depend on any central opioid effect. The fact behind this statement is that the pain-relieving property of flupirtine is not reduced by the opioid antagonistic drug naloxone. Flupirtine has been reported for its neuro-protective properties and possess a selective neuronal potassium channel opener that also has NMDA receptor antagonist properties. Flupertine is transformed into two primary derivatives, 4-fluoro-hippuric acid and the Nacetylated analogue D13223. Both derivatives of are flupirtine pharmacologically active with 30% of the analgesic potency of the parent drug and further oxidized and then conjugated with glycine to form inactive metabolites, Recently, Flupirtine maleate has been introduced in Indian market in oral, intravenous and rectal dosage forms. The half life of flupirtine following intravenous administration was 1.8 hours, while the plasma elimination half life in healthy young volunteers following single dose administration of flupirtine by the intravenous, oral and rectal routes was 8.5, 9.6 and 10.7 hours respectively. There is plenty of literature available on the effect of Flupirtine maleate on chronic and acute pain management. These preliminary finding require confirmation in further comparative studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the biocompatibility of green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO Np) using floral extract of Calotropis gigantea in room condition. Materials & methods: Green synthesized and characterized CuO Np was evaluated for their cellular and molecular biocompatibility by experimentally and computational molecular docking. Results: Synthesized CuO NP was found to have a size 32 ± 09 nm with ζ potential -35 ± 12 mV. LC50 value was found to be 190 μg/ml. In vitro and in silico cytotoxicity analysis with HEK293 cells revealed the cytotoxic effect of CuO Np as consequences of interaction with histidine and arginine amino acid residues of Sod3 and p53 proteins via hydrogen bond of length 3.09 and 3.32 Å leading to oxidative stress ensuing toward apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Conclusion: The outcomes proved the synthesized material as an alternative to the conventional method of synthesizing copper nanoparticles for biomedical and clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flupirtine is an amino pyridine derivative that functions as a centrally acting non-opioid, non-steroidal analgesic. It is a selective neuronal potassium channel opener that also has NMDA receptor antagonist properties. Its muscle relaxant properties make it popular for back pain and other orthopedics uses. In the present investigation, recently developed mixed hydrotropic solid dispersion technology precludes the use of organic solvent and also decreases the individual concentration of hydrotropic agents, simultaneously decreasing their toxic potential. Mixed-hydrotropic solubilisation technique is the experience to increase the solubility of poorly water soluble drugs in the aqueous solution containing blends of hydrotropic agents, which may give synergistic enhancement effect on solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs and to reduce concentrations of each individual hydrotropic agent to minimize their toxic effects due to high concentration of hydrotropic agents. The Flupirtine loaded solid dispersion was prepared by a solvent evaporation technique using sodium benzoate and a niacinamide hydrotropic mixture. The prepared solid dispersions were valuated regarding their solubility, mean particle size, in-vitro drug release. The prepared solid dispersions were found very stable (chemically). The superior dissolution rate due to its reduced particle size may have contributed to the increased oral bioavailability. This study demonstrated that mixed-solvency may be an alternative approach for poorly soluble drugs to improve their solubility and oral bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The presence of bacteria in the form of biofilms poses a problem in the fluid pathways of haemodialysis plants and procedures which are aimed to detach and neutralize biofilms are necessary to improve the patient safety and the quality of the healthcare. The present study was therefore aimed at isolating the organisms which colonized dialysis water systems as biofilms, as well as to study the effect of the sub inhibitory concentrations of chlorine on the biofilms which were produced by these isolates. Methods: Swabs were used to collect the biofilms which were produced on the internal surface of the dialysis tubing from the dialysis units. This study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore, India. The cultures were performed on MacConkey's agar and blood agar. The organisms which were isolated were identified and antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed. The biofilm production was done by the microtitre plate method of O'Toole and Kolter. The biofilm production was also studied in the presence of sub inhibitory concentrations of chlorine. Results: Acinetobacter spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the two predominant organisms which colonized the dialysis water systems as biofilms. The sub inhibitory concentrations of chlorine did not bring about any decrease in the biofilm production by the isolates. On the contrary, there was an increase in the biofilm production. Conclusion: Our study highlighted the importance of using appropriate methods to improve the quality of the water in dialysis units. This in turn, may help in reducing the biofilm formation in the water systems of dialysis units and thus, contribute to the prevention of hospital acquired infections in the patients who need haemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]